Patching press



P. J. DEWYER PATCHING PRESS Oct. 27, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 13, 1961 INVENTOR PETER J. DEWYER ATTORNEY P. JJDEWYER PATCHING PRESS Oct. 27, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13, 1961 ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1964 P. J. DEWYER PATCHING PRESS Filed Nov. 13, 1961 FIG. 6

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PETER J. DEWYER BYW ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,154,009 PATCHING PRESS Peter J. Dewyer, Libertyville, Ill., assignor to Nyder Research and Manufacturing, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Nov. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 151,783 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 100-214) This invention relates to pressing machines and more particularly to machines of the type used for applying adherent heat seal patches to repairable fabrics.

One of the significant problems involved in patching fabrics with machines of this type is the difliculty encountered in providing uniform pressure to the patch and fabric assembly when either the patch or the fabric, or both, possesses irregular and non-uniform thickness.

The prior art has attempted to solve this problem in many fashions, the most successful known being the incorporation into the machine of a press bed made resilient, either by pads of resilient material or by a spring arrangement for supporting the pad. With these beds, irregularities in thickness of either the patch or the patchable fabric are manifested in the variably compensating give of the several portions of the bed in response thereto.

To a certain extent, this approach has given very satisfactory results, especially in the patching and repair of smaller fabric pieces, but still encounter the limitations inherent in any resilient body which is frequently and repeatedly flexed. Thus the resilient materials lose their elasticity and the spring members ultimately fail.

The present invention presents an approach to this problem which is believed both novel and unique. Specifically, novel self-balancing means are provided whereby the primary adjustment to irregular thicknesses of patches and/or fabrics is effected by and in the press head and its coaction with its press bed serves to provide substantially complete and uniform pressure upon the patch, which is movable in and out of operative registry therewith, as shall hereinafter be described in detail.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved patching press in which patches and fabrics of irregular thickness may be readily bonded together with substantially uniform pressure being applied throughout the complete bonding surface.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved patching press of the type described in which a novel press head structure is self-balancing and applies substantially equal pressure to all areas of the patch irrespective of variances in thickness of either the patch or the object to which the patch is applied.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved pressing machine and head structure therefor which is simple, economical, efficient and convenient to operate and coacts with the press bed thereof to provide a uniform and effective heat sealing action therewith.

These and still other objects as shall hereinafter appear are fulfilled by the present invention in a remarkably unexpected fashion as shall be readily discerned from the following detailed description of an embodiment exemplifying the present invention, especially when considered in connection with the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a pressing machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the machine of FIG. 1, certain parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the novel press head arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation, partially broken away, of the press head of FIG. 3;

amass Patented Get. 27, 1964 F Ice FIG, 5 isan end elevation, partially broken away, of the pressfhead of FIG. 3; and Y FIG. 6 is a' schematic showing of hydraulic and electrical circuitry suitable for use in machine's manufactured in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pressing machine embodying the present invention comprises a main frame 11 which car: ries the press head assembly 12 and an inner frame 13 which carries press bed assembly 14. I H

The main frame 11 consists of a base section 15 hav-' ing two foot assemblies 16, 17, one at each side of the machine, interconnected by lower cross bar 18. Each foot assembly 16, 17 supports a vertically extending side member 19, 20, respectively, which are generally parallel to each other and extend upwardly to upper cross bar 21. Intermediate cross bars 18, 21, a third cross bar 22 is rigidly secured between side members 19, 20 and coacts wih bars 13, 21 to provide the desired rigidity of structure. A further important function of cross bar 22 will be described later.

Each foot assembly, for example, assembly 17, is formed of a pair of elongated trapezoidal members 23, 24 disposed in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other and are connected at their respective ends by toe plate 25 and heel plate 26 joined thereto in any suitable fashion as by welding.

For purposes of further description, member 23 will be considered the inner foot plate and member 24 will be considered the outer foot plate.

J ournaled into members 23, 24 for rotative movement relative thereto and extending therebetween and protruding beyond inner foot plate 23 are a pair of shaft members 27, 28. The inwardly protruding portions of the shaft members 27, 28, indicated at 29 on the left and at 30 on the right, respectively, provide the means for pivotally supporting inner frame structure 13 as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

Each side member, for example, member 20 is reinforced in its attachment to its adjacent foot assembly, for example, assembly 17, by a pair of reinforcing plates 31 (one not shown) firmly secured to and extending transversely between inner and outer foot plates 23, 24 and extending upwardly therefrom in secured relationship, as by welding, with the inner surface of the member.

Intermediate foot assemblies 16, 17 and carried by lower cross bar 18 is an angle member 32 having a bifurcated bracket 33 secured thereto and extending therefrom. Each wing of bracket 33 has a bore 34 defined therethrough and is adapted to engage flange member 35 attached to hydraulic cylinder 36 for pivotal engagement therewith. Flange member 35 contains a bore 37 adapted to register with bores 34 where upon insertion of bolt 38 the described pivotal linkage is obtained.

A hydraulic ram 39 extends telescopically into and from cylinder 36 and carries a similarly bored bifurcated bracket member 40 upon its exposed end 41 for pivotal linkage to inner frame 13 as shall be described.

Upper cross bar 21 also supports a pair of hydraulic cylinders 42, 43 in spaced generally symmetrical relationship to the main frame 11 and substantially equally spaced from the adjacent side member 19, 20, respectively. The function of these cylinders will be described later.

Inasmuch as main frame 11 is symmetrical in the embodiment illustrated, the various parts which make up the structure of its left (relative to FIG. 1) side are not described since they are but the mirror image of the right side which is described above in detail. Thus, unless specifically indicated as otherwise, the like parts throughout the several views will bear the same reference numetals.

The structure of inner frame 13 and its coaction with main frame 11 shall now be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, inner frame 13 comprises a left side assembly 51 and a right side assembly 52 disposed in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other and interconnected by cross bar member 53 adjacent the middle thereof. Cross bar member 53 carries, in the middle thereof, flange member 54 which extends toward bracket 33 and, like the last named member, has a bore 55 defined therethrough. Flange member 54 thus is adapted for insertion between the wings of bifurcated bracket 4ft whereupon bores 56 defined in bracket 48 and bore 55 are aligned and connected as by pin 57 into a pivotal link age 58.

Thus, hydraulic cylinder 36 is pivotally connected to cross bar 18 of main frame 11, while ram 39 is similarly connected to cross bar 53 of inner frame 13.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each side assembly, for example, assembly 52, comprises a pair of parallel bars 59, 60, each having openings 61, 62, respectively, defined adjacent its upper and lower ends. Stubs 30, are respectively journaled into openings 62 of bars 59, 60, respectively, while openings 61 receive journals 63, 64 extending outwardly from press bed assembly 14. It is of course understood that suitable bushings may be employed with all journals herein described as may be desired.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, it becomes apparent that the pivotal action of the side assemblies relative to base section 15 and press bed assembly 14 is such that the upper surface 65 of press bed assembly 14 is maintained parallel to the surface upon which the machine is mounted as assembly 14 is moved into and out of main frame 11 by the telescopic action of ram 39 relative to hydraulic cylinder 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, press head assembly 12 and its physical relationship to main frame 11 shall now be described.

As previously indicated, upper cross bar 21 supports hydraulic cylinders 42, 43, each of which have a hydraulic ram 44, 45, respectively, depending therefrom. The lower ends of rams 44, are respectively connected to, as shall be explained, and carry a heated press head 71). The heated press head 70 is formed of a head base plate 71 to which an independent heat element plate 72 is detachably secured, preferably with a layer 73 of a suitable insulator such as rock asbestos or other known mineral insulator which is capable of both thermal and electrical insulation interposed therebetween.

In its preferred form, heat element plate 72 is cast with a plurality of spaced transversely extending channels 74 defined therein intoeach of which a heating element 75 of desired wattage is inserted.

The working surface 76 of heating element plate 72, that is, the surface which faces press bed assembly 14, may if desired be covered with sheet of suitable heat resistant plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene, manufactured by DuPont under the trade name Teflon.

Head base plate 71 is, as indicated, suspended from rams 44, 45, respectively, extending from hydraulic cylinders 42, 43. The specific fashion by which this is achieved will now be described.

Adjacent each of the ends 77, 78 of base plate 71 and spaced therefrom on surface 79'thereof is secured an end plate 88, 81, respectively, disposed in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other and interconnected at their ends by side plates 82, 83 which extend transversely thereof in generally parallel spaced relationship to each other.

Each end plate, for example end plate 80, has an opening 84 defined centrally therein to receive end 85 of longitudinally extending shaft member 86 therein in secured relationship thereto. A similar opening 87 is placed centrally in end plate 81 for securing end 88 of shaft 86. In this fashion, shaft 85 is secured in fixed relationship to plates 80, 81 although base plate 71 is permitted to 4- rock about shaft 86 by virtue of the coupling arrangement between shaft 86 and rams 44, 45 which shall be described.

Intermediate end plates 80, 81 and generally parallel thereto, a third plate 89 extends between side plates 82, 83 and is attached thereto and to surface 79 of base plate 71 in any suitable fashion, as by welding. Plate 89 likewise circumscribes shaft 86 which passes through an opening 90 therein in non-rotatable relationship thereto which may be effected as with a suitable pin 121.

Adjacent each of the end plates 80, 81 and spaced inwardly therefrom are support assemblies 91, 92, respectively.

Each support assembly, for example assembly 92, includes a block member 93 having an opening 94 defined centrally therethrough for circumscription about shaft member 86.

Side surfaces 95, 96 of block member 93, that is, those lateral surfaces lying generally parallel to the axis of shaft member 86 and extending generally normal to but spaced from surface 79, respectively carry side plates 97, 98 suitably secured thereto, as by welding.

Each side plate, for example side plate 97, extends beyond the upper surface 99 of block member 93 and has, relative to its upwardly protruding portion, a centrally defined opening 100 therein. A similar opening 101 is likewise defined in the upwardly protruding portion of side plate 98 and is in axial alignment with opening 100. A shaft member 102 is journaled into openings 100, 101 in rotatable relationship therein and has a threaded bore 103 defined therein transversely of its axis of rotation for receiving and engaging the threaded end 47 of ram 45. A suitable lock nut 104 is also threaded upon ram 45 and is employed in the well known fashion to hold ram 45 in preselected position relative to bore 103.

Support assembly 91 similarly receives threaded end 46 of ram 44 in threaded bore 105 of shaft 106 rotatably mounted in and between side plates 107, 108 in respective openings 189, 110. Shaft 106, like shaft 102, is superposed with its block member 111 in spaced relationship thereto and extends transversely of shaft member 86 which extends through opening 112 defined in block member 111.

As is to be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, support assemblies 91, 92 are spaced from each other and from their adjacent end plates 88, 81 along shaft member 86 and shaft member 86 is held against axial movement relative to base plate 81 by the action of pins 113, 114, respectively, inserted into shaft member 86 through the openings 115, 116 respectively, provided in end plates 80, 81.

A similar locking arrangement may likewise be employed to secure rams 44, 45 in their respective support assemblies 91, 92. Thus pins 117, 118 respectively, engage threaded ends 46, 47 of rams 44, 45 by passing through openings 119, 120 defined in shafts 106, 102, respectively.

Hydraulic cylinders 42, 43 as indicated are mounted upon and supported by upper cross bar 21 and in this fashion, it is seen that press head 70 is pivotally movable bi-directionaily relative to upper cross bar 21 as well as being movable vertically in response to the relative telescopical movement of the rams 44, 45 in and out of their respective cylinders 42, 43. The aforesaid bi-directional movement refers to the tilting action the aforedescribed head supporting arrangement provides press head assembly 12 .both about as well as axially of shaft member 86.

It should be noted that while cylinders 42, 43 are supported by upper cross bar 21, they are not fixed relative thereto since slight movement may be desired to maintain the alignment of the hydraulic rams within their cylinders.

Before describing hydraulic and electrical systems which may be employed in the machine of the present invention, attention is directed to FIGURES 1 and 2 wherein it will be seen that main frame 11 further carries a cross bar 122, known in the trade as a panic bar, which extends between lever members 123, 124, respectively,

pivotally secured, as by pins 125, 126, to side members 19, 20.

Bar 122 is pivotal about pins 125, 126 into and out of engagement with a micro switch (not shown) to effect the conduct of the operating circuit of the machine as shall hereinafter be described in detail.

Another cross bar member 127 is resiliently secured to end plates 125 of press bed assembly 14 by suitable resilient members such as springs 129 to serve as a bumper to protect the operator if hit by the retracting bed assembly and as a material hanger to prevent material being patched from falling to the floor.

A suitable detent such as bolts 66 are provided through cross bar 22 to define the inward limit for travel by the press bed assembly 14. If desired to utilize the entire travel into engagement with bar 22 itself, the additional detent will not be required.

Referring now to FIG. 6, suitable hydraulic and electrical circuitry for operating machines embodying the present invention is illustrated and the operation of the machine will be described in connection therewith.

The hydraulic circuitry illustrated is essentially a positive flow closed circuit system commencing, for purposes of this description, at a suitable reservoir 130 containing a hydraulic fluid having desired characteristics. The hydraulic fluid is drawn from reservoir 13%) through conduit 131 to conduit 132 by the action of a suitable pump 133 interposed therebetween. The fluid from conduit 133 branches into what will be considered conduits 134 and 135 for clarity. Conduit 134 leads through a suitable check valve 136 into conduit 137 which divides into branches 138 and 139 which are connected to a suitable valve such as the four way solenoid operated spring returned at 140. From valve 140, the fluid may pass into either conduit 141 which divides into branches 142, 143, preferably through a suitable flow divider 172, for introduction into chambers A of hydraulic cylinders 42, 43, respectively, that is, behind their respective pistons 144, 145, to cause the extension of rams 44, 45 and the lowering of press head assembly 12; or into conduit 146 which likewise divides into branches 146, 149 for introduction into chambers B of hydraulic cylinders 42, 43, respectively, that is, in front of their respective pistons 144, 145 to cause the retraction of rams 44, 45 and the raising of press head assembly 12.

Whether the flowing fluid enters chambers A via conduit 141 or chambers B via conduit 146 is effected by the relative position of valve spool 150 relative to valve housing 151 in valve 140 which in turn is controlled by the cooperative action of solenoid 152 and spring 173 which shall hereinafter be more fully described in connection with the electrical circuitry.

When the valve spool 150 is positioned as shown in FIG. 6 so that hydraulic fluid flows through conduit 146 into chambers B, the residual fluid in chambers A is forced out of chambers A, by the action of the retracting pistons 144, 145 through conduits 142, 143 to conduit 141 and valve 140 into conduit 153 which connects to drain 154 to return the fluids to reservoir 13%.

When valve spool 150 is actuated by solenoid 152 to a position in which it blocks branch 138 and unblocks branch 139, fluid will pass from valve 140 into and through conduits 141 and 142, 143, and hence into chambers A. In this instance, the residual fluid in chambers B is forced therefrom by the action of the extending pistons 144, 145 through their respective conduit 148, 149 into and through conduit 146, valve 140', conduits 155, 156 which connects to conduit 153 which in turn connects with drain 154 into reservoir 130.

From the foregoing it is seen that the arrangement described permits pump 133 to continually act in a single direction.

In a similar fashion, and simultaneously with the foreing of fluids into and through conduit 134, pump 133 forces fluid into and through conduit 135 into another 6 suitable four way valve 157 which, depending upon its position, directs the fluid into chamber A of hydraulic cylinder 36 to cause the extension of ram 39 by its action upon piston 158 carried thereby whereupon residual fluid in chamber B is forced, by the extension of ram 39 and piston 158, out of chamber B through conduit 159, valve 157 and conduits 160, 174 to drain 154 where it is discharged into reservoir or directs the fluid through conduit 159 into chamber B to cause the retraction of ram 39 whereupon the residual fluid in chamber A is forced, by piston 158, out of chamber A through conduit 161, valve 157 into conduit 174 and hence to drain 154 and reservoir 130.

Through the action of ram 39 in the fashion described, the inner frame 13 is pivotally moved relative to main frame 11 and press bed assembly 14 (see FIG. 1) is brought into and out of registry with press head assembly 12.

It is also to be noted that the relative volume of hydraulic cylinder 36 is considerably smaller than the cumulative volume of cylinders 42, 43 so that the full movement of the press bed assembly 14 will always precede full movement of press head assembly 12. This has the dual advantage of operator safety and also convenience, that is, the bed is seated first so that the moving head will not push the material being patched off of the bed.

The primary function of check valve 136 is to protect against sudden movement of the heated press head assembly which would otherwise be caused by a pressure drop into the portion of the circuit external thereof. This is primarily a safety precaution because of the heated nature of the head as shall now be described.

Heating elements 75 are connected in series with a suitable thermostatically controlled switch 162 which may be set within a preselected temperature gradient to effect the flow of electrical current to the elements. Thus, when the temperature of the heated press head 70 falls below a desired value, which is selected after considering the plastisol or organosol adhesive employed upon the patch and the characteristics of the fabric of the patch and the object being repaired, switch 162 will close to permit the flow of current from a suitable power source 163 through a convenient contact 175 (see FIG. 5) to the heating elements 75. When the press head 70 attains its desired temperature, switch 162 will open and prevent the flow of further current through press head 70 thereby avoiding overheating. A simple bimetal has been found quite satisfactory to provide the desired thermostatic control although any of the well known thermostatic devicesmay be employed with this machine. An indicating light 171 is connected in series with power source 163 and thermostatic switch 162 to provide a ready indication that power is being fed to the heating elements 75.

The operation of the machine is instigated by the actuation of starter switch 164 which is connected in series between power source 163 and the remainder of the electrical circuitry. Actuation of starter switch 164 starts motor 165 which in turn drives pump 133 to effect the previously described hydraulic action.

A suitable timer 166 is serially connected between power source 163 and solenoids 152, 167 which respectively operate valves 140, 157, so as to create and maintain the desired temporal program for the machine in accord- -:ance with the normal function of these devices. Limit switch 168, is mounted in the machine to sense the relative positions of the press head assembly 12 and the press bed assembly 14 and to report these positions to the timer 166 which, at a preselected time after actuation by the limit switch 168 will deenergize solenoids 152, 167 whereupon valves 140, 157 are returned by their respective springs to a position in which the flow of fluid :relative to the cylinders is reversed. The several rams 39, 44, 45 are thus returned to their original positions.

As previously mentioned, panic bar 122 is mounted to main frame 11 and will, when manually moved, engage micro switch 169 which clears timer 166 whereupon rams 44, 45 are immediately rendered immobile and then are returned to their fully retracted non-operative position.

To operate the machine, the operator places the garment to be repaired and the desired patch upon the press bed 14, presses starter switch 164 which starts motor 165 to drive pump 133 whereupon the described action of the hydraulic circuits simultaneously causes press head assembly 12 to lower while the press bed assembly 14 moves into operative registry therewith, the relative arrivals of the two assemblies being, by virtue of their different fluid capacities as described, such that the press bed assembly 14 will reach its operative position while the press head assembly 12 is still descending. Shortly after the arrival of the press bed assembly 14 to its operative position, the presshead assembly 12 will complete its descent and engage the garment and patch to provide the desired heat and pressure to firmly adhere the patch to the object being repaired.

The temperature of the head is readily adjusted to conform to the fusion temperature of whatever adhesive is desired, for example, the generally available polyvinyl chloride adhesives respond very favorably when the heat elements are controlled for a head temperature of approximately 325 to 350 F. Variation of the temperature to suit other adhesives which might be desired is Within the ordinary skill of the art and need not be elaborated upon here.

Where garments or patches having irregular thicknesses are being employed, the machine itself through coaction of the unique self-balancing press head assembly 12 with the registerable press bed assembly 14, as herein described, will adjust so that a substantially uni form pressure is applied to all portions of the bonding surface.

Thus, from the foregoing it becomes apparent that a new and an improved pressing machine has been herein described which fulfills all of the aforestated objects to a remarkably unexpected extent. It is of course understood that such alterations and modifications and applications as may occur to one skilled in the art when confronted with this disclosure are intended to be included within the spirit of the present invention especially as it is defined by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A patching press comprising in combination: a main frame; first motive means carried by said main frame; a press head assembly having a base plate and suspended from said first motive means and movable in response thereto through a substantially vertical path; an inner frame pivotally connected to said main frame; a press bed assembly carried by said inner frame and movable therewith relative to said main frame into and out of registry with said vertical path; second motive means carried by said main frame and operatively interconnected between said main frame and said press bed assembly for moving said assembly; and means connecting said first motive means to said press head assembly including a first shaft member secured to and extending longitudinally of said base plate, a first and second joint member, each having a body portion in rotatable circumscription about said shaft member, a first and second side plate secured to said body portion and having a non-engaging portion extending upwardly therefrom, each of said non-engaging portions having an opening defined therein in registry with a corresponding opening in the other of said portions, and a second shaft member rotatably journaled in said openings and including means for engaging said first motive means whereupon said first motive means is connected to said press head assembly and said base plate is pivotal about both said first and said second shaft members and the pressure exerted by said press head assembly upon said press bed assembly when said assemblies are in registry and a body of irregular thickness interposed therebetween is substantially uniform.

2. In a patching press having a press head assembly, including a base plate, and a press bed assembly, improved means for balancing the pressure exerted by the press head assembly upon the press bed assembly when the assemblies are in registry and a body of irregular thickness is interposed therebetween, said means comprising: a first shaft member integrally attached to the base plate in spaced non-rotatable relationship therewith, a first and second support assembly carried and rotatable upon said first shaft member and disposed one adjacent each end of said shaft member, each of said support assemblies comprising a block member having an opening defined therein for circumscribing said shaft member, a first and second plate member, one being disposed integral with each side of said block member in generally parallel arrangement to the longitudinal axis of said shaft member, each of said plate members extending upwardly from said block memher into superposition therewith and having an opening defined therein in registry with the corresponding opening in said other side member, a second shaft member journaled through said last named openings and having its main axis generally normal to said longitudinal axis of said first shaft member, said second shaft member being rotatable in said openings and having means defined therein connectable to the press driving means whereupon said press head assembly is provided wtih compensating bidirectional movement responsive to irregularities in thickness of fabric interposed between the assemblies when in registry with each other.

3. In a patching press having a main frame, suspension means carried by said main frame, a press head assembly connected to said suspension means and including a base plate, an inner frame pivotally connected to said main frame, a press bed assembly carried by said inner frame and movable in and out of registry with the press head assembly, improved means for balancing the pressure exerted by the press head assembly upon the press bed assembly when the assemblies are in registry and a body of irregular thickness is interposed therebetween, said means comprising: a first shaft member rigidly secured to said base plate in spaced aligned relationship to a longitudinal axis thereof; first and second support assemblies carried upon and rotatable with said shaft member in spaced relationship to each other, each of said support assemblies comprising a body portion disposed in rotatable circumscription with said shaft member, and first and second journal members integral with and disposed above said body portion, each of said journal members having an opening defined therein in registry with the corresponding opening in the other of said journal members, a second shaft member journaled through and rotatable in said openings in said journal members and extending transversely of said first shaft member, said second shaft member including means for connecting the press head assembly to the suspension means.

4. A patching press comprising in combination: a main frame; first and second hydraulic rams carried by said main frame; a press head assembly having a base plate and suspended from said hydraulic rams and movable therewith through a substantially vertical path; an inner frame pivotally connected to said main frame; a press bed assembly carried by said inner frame and movable therewith relative to said main frame into and out of registry with said vertical path; a third hydraulic ram carried by said main frame and operatively interconnected between said main frame and said press bed assembly for moving said assembly; and means connecting said first and second rams to said press head assembly including a first shaft member secured to and extending longitudinally of said base plate, a first and second joint member, each having a body portion in rotatable circumscription about said shaft member, first and second side plates secured to said body portions and having nonengaging portions extending upwardly therefrom, each of said non-engaging portions having an opening defined therein in registry With a corresponding opening in the other of said portions, and asecond shaft member rotatably journaled in said openings and including means for engaging one of said first and second hydraulic rams whereupon said first and said second rams are connected to said press head assembly and said base plate is pivotal about both said first and said second shaft members and the pressure exerted by said press head assembly upon said press bed assembly when said assemblies are in regitry and a body of irregular thickness interposed therebetween is substantially uniform.

5. In a patching press having a press head assembly, including a base plate, and a press bed assembly, improved means for balancinng the pressure exerted by the press head assembly upon the press bed assembly when the assemblies are in registry and a body of irregular thickness is interposed therebetween; said means comprising: first and second end plates rigidly secured to the base plate and extending upwardly therefrom in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other, a first shaft member journaled in and between said end plates in non rotatable relationship therewith, a first and second support assembly carried upon and rotatable with said first shaft member and disposed one adjacent each of said end plates and spaced inwardly therefrom, each of said support assemblies comprising a block member having an opening defined therein for circumscribing said shaft member, a first and second plate member, one being diposed integral with each side of said block member in generally parallel arrangement to the longitudinal axis of said shaft member, each of said plate members extending upwardly from said block member into superposition therewith and having an opening defined therein in registry with the corresponding opening in said other side member, a second shaft member journaled through said last named openings and having its main axis generally normal to said longitudinal axis of said first shaft member, said second shaft member being rotatable in said openings and having means defined therein connectable to the press driving means whereupon said press head assembly is provided with compensating bidirectional movement responsive to irregularities in thickness of fabric interposed between the assemblies when in registry with each other.

6. In a patching press having a main frame, suspension means carried by said main frame, a press head assembly connected to said suspension means and including a base plate, an inner frame pivotally connected to said main frame, a press bed assembly carried by said inner frame and movable in and out of registry with the press head assembly, improved means for balancing the pressure exerted by the press head assembly upon the press bed assembly when the assemblies are in registry and a body of irregular thickness is interposed therebetween, said means comprising: a first shaft member rigidly secured to said base plate in spaced aligned relationship to a longitudinal axis thereof; first and second support assemblies carried upon and rotatable with said shaft member in spaced relationship to each other, each of said support assemblies comprising a body portion disposed in rotatable circurnscription with said shaft member, and first and second plate members extending upwardly from said body portion into spaced parallel relationship with each other, each of said plate members having an opening defined therein in registry with the corresponding opening in the other of said plate members, a second shaft member journaled through and rotatable in said last named openings and extending transversely of said first shaft member, said second shaft member including means for connecting the press head assembly to the suspension means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,877 Heinss Nov. 29, 1910 1,822,923 Duerr Sept. 15, 1931 2,301,626 Kahn Nov. 10, 1942 2,415,766 Shapiro Feb. 11, 1947 2,726,707 Wellons et a1. Dec. 13, 1955 3,029,178 Carver Apr. 10, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,073,287 France Mar. 17, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,154,009 October 27, 1964 Peter J. Dewyer It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 2. and 12, and in the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 and 4, for "Nyder Research and Manufacturing, Inc..". each occurrence, read Nydar Research" and Manufacturing, Inc. column 8, line 28, for 'wtih" read with column 9, line 16, for "balancinng" read balancing e Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1966.

( L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER "EDWARD -J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

2. IN A PATCHING PRESS HAVING A PRESS HEAD ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A BASE PLATE, AND A PRESS BED ASSEMBLY, IMPROVED MEANS FOR BALANCING THE PRESSURE EXERTED BY THE PRESS HEAD ASSEMBLY UPON THE PRESS BED ASSEMBLY WHEN THE ASSEMBLIES ARE IN REGISTRY AND A BODY OF IRREGULAR THICKNESS IS INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN, SAID MEANS COMPRISING: A FIRST SHAFT MEMBER INTEGRALLY ATTACHED TO THE BASE PLATE IN SPACED NON-ROTATABLE RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, A FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT ASSEMBLY CARRIED AND ROTATABLE UPON SAID FIRST SHAFT MEMBER AND DISPOSED ONE ADJACENT EACH END OF SAID SHAFT MEMBER, EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES COMPRISING A BLOCK MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING DEFINED THEREIN FOR CIRCUMSCRIBING SAID SHAFT MEMBER, A FIRST AND SECOND PLATE MEMBER, ONE BEING DISPOSED INTEGRAL WITH EACH SIDE OF SAID BLOCK MEMBER IN GENERALLY PARALLEL ARRANGEMENT TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SHAFT MEMBER, EACH OF SAID PLATE MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BLOCK MEMBER INTO SUPERPOSITION THEREWITH AND HAVING AN OPENING DEFINED THEREIN IN REGISTRY WITH THE CORRESPONDING OPENING IN SAID OTHER SIDE MEMBER, A SECOND SHAFT MEMBER JOURNALED THROUGH SAID LAST NAMED OPENINGS AND HAVING ITS MAIN AXIS GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST SHAFT MEMBER, SAID SECOND SHAFT MEMBER BEING ROTATABLE IN SAID OPENINGS AND HAVING MEANS DEFINED THEREIN CONNECTABLE TO THE PRESS DRIVING MEANS WHEREUPON SAID PRESS HEAD ASSEMBLY IS PROVIDED WITH COMPENSATING BIDIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT RESPONSIVE TO IRREGULARITIES IN THICKNESS OF FABRIC INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE ASSEMBLIES WHEN IN REGISTRY WITH EACH OTHER. 